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Author: Michael Johnson

The race to replace New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is picking up and both the Republican and Democratic fields are crowded with candidates. Among them is comedian Randy Credico – who is hoping to bring some levity to the race – and also highlight some issues he feels are being ignored by the front… …

White House says it supports the US Senate Democrats plan to delay sequester cuts. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warns that there could be significant flight delays if sequestration takes effect. There are reports that Obama may consider GOP plan for a chained CPI (explainer here) as part of a larger deal to avoid sequestration. Three… …

New Yorkers for Local Approval of Casinos released a poll today suggesting that most New Yorkers support the constitutional amendment that would allow for 7 new non-indian casinos, 54%, but that number drops if you tell them they won’t know where the casinos will be placed or won’t have local control over deciding if a… …

Governor Andrew Cuomo set a June deadline for imposing a teacher evaluation system on New York City. Cuomo also proposed cheaper licenses for hunting and fishing as part of his 30 day budget amendments. As expected, lawmakers are lining up against NYSUT’s lawsuit challenging the 2% property tax cap. NYSUT says they are open to… …

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli just announced that the state pension fund’s rate of return in the 3rd quarter of the budget year was up 1.74%. That brings the total value of the fund to $152.9 billion dollars. “The New York State Common Retirement Fund has seen steady growth in the second half of 2012 and is… …

Each year the state of New York spends roughly $43 million on apparel like uniforms for police officers, footwear, and flags. But despite the fact that the state joined a Sweatfree Purchasing Consortium in 2009 some say New York is still supporting sweatshop labor. Sara Niccoli from the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York States, Yannick… …

Governor Cuomo’s 2013 state of the state, with its list of progressive goals, won him a lot of points with his Democratic base. But even some on the left are expressing concerns about the Reproductive Health Act. Democrats for Life Executive Director Kristen Day joins us from Washington, DC to discuss this. Watch Video Here>>… …

Two and a half weeks after Gov. Andrew Cuomo presented his executive budget proposal, school districts are starting to work on their own financial plans. Although Cuomo is calling for a four percent increase in education aid, not every district will get that much. Rick Timbs of the Statewide School Finance Consortium and Bob Lowry… …

Next month will be the 50th Anniversary of the landmark US Supreme Court Case Gideon vs. Wainwright, where the court ruled that the government had to provide adequate legal services for defendents. Half a century later many feel that New York state is not living up to the mandate from the court. Jonathan Gradess from… …